Alberta’s capital and largest city, Edmonton, is in the province’s center along the North Saskatchewan River. About 185 miles (300 km) to the north of Calgary is the location. The metro area, which spans 3,640 square miles (9,427 square km), is a well-known transportation area, measuring 264 square miles (684 square km). The city is located 2,201 feet (671 meters) above sea level. With more than a million people living in its metropolitan area, it is the northernmost city in North America. With its unique topography and climate, the city is the northernmost. Come with me as we investigate them.

How High is Edmonton Elevation Above Sea Level?

Edmonton is 2,201 feet (671 meters) above sea level. Edmonton lies between 2037 and 2256 feet above sea level in the Canadian Prairies Ecozone and on the North Saskatchewan River. The city is located at -113.49045200 longitude and 53.54356400 latitude. With a population of more than a million metro population, it is the northernmost city in North America.

Surrounding the city is aspen parkland, a zone of transition between the boreal forest to the north and the prairies to the south. Nonetheless, farming and oil exploration have contributed to climate change in these stunning regions.

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It shares the same latitude as Dublin, Manchester, and Hamburg. Except for a few ravines and deep river valleys, like the North Saskatchewan River valley, which starts at the Columbia Ice field in Jasper National Park and cuts through the city, the terrain in and around Edmonton is primarily flat to gently rolling.  It flows from the southwest to the northeast and receives water from many of the city’s creeks.

Edmonton Climate Details 

Due to its humid continental climate, Edmonton has warm, sunny summers and freezing dry winters. Being the northernmost region, it is exposed to extremes and wide fluctuations. It experiences a broad variety of temperatures, from -10.4°C in January to 17.7°C in July, and is located in the NRC 4a Plant Hardiness Zone. The city is among the sunniest in Canada, with 2,299 hours of bright sunlight on average every year.

The wettest month is July, while the driest months are February, March, October, November, and December. Edmonton receives 455.7 mm of precipitation annually. In Edmonton, 37.2°C was the highest temperature ever recorded on June 29, 1937, while -49.4°C was the lowest temperature ever recorded on January 19 and 21, 1886.

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From mid-May to early September of that year, temperatures reached 29°C or higher more than 20 times, making it an exceptionally warm summer. There were 53 instances during the winter of 2011–12 when the temperature at the City Centre Airport was at or above 0.0°C, making it an exceptionally warm period.

Twelve tornadoes impacted Edmonton between 1890 and 1989; the most notable being an F4 tornado that occurred on July 31, 1987, which claimed 27 lives and became the unofficial motto of the city. Edmonton’s reaction to the tornado was used as proof that it was a “city of champions,” a moniker that was eventually adopted off-hand.

Edmonton as an Urban Wildlife 

Edmonton’s location and wildlife-friendly urban design make it a more wildlife-friendly metropolis than other southern cities. There is an abundance of habitat for wildlife, especially huge animals like moose, thanks to the city’s river valley and ravine system, which is the largest contiguous protected natural ecosystem in any city in North America.

Edmonton’s geographic location has temperate winters and moderate summer temperatures. Enough precipitation to support plant growth also plays a role in the city’s wildlife-friendly environment. Edmonton may experience a three- to five-degree increase in temperature by the 2050s, so the city will not be immune to the consequences of climate change. By then, the temperature of the city would shift toward that of the grassland, which might drive away some of its bigger animals.

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In a changing climate, towns with less greenery will be more accommodating to animals, especially in warmer places like Edmonton, according to recent research. Researchers from the United States and Canada used video traps to collect information on animals in twenty North American cities.

Due to their difficulty in obtaining resources in cities, huge animals are disproportionately affected by urbanization and climate change.  Concerns about habitat loss are more pressing than those about climate change regarding the long-term survival and productivity of wildlife populations, even though urbanization contributes far more to the decrease of wildlife than climate change does.

Metropolitan Areas.

Edmonton is among the sixth largest census metropolitan regions in Canada. Two significant employment hubs inside the CMA but outside of Edmonton are the Edmonton International Airport in Leduc Count and the Nisku Industrial Business Park. Likewise, the Industrial Heartland of Alberta, Refinery Row in Strathcona County, and the Acheson Industrial Area in Parkland County.

The City of Edmonton has not annexed property from any of its neighbors since 1982, nor has it taken in any municipality since 1964. To combat demands and annexation plans, the Province of Alberta established the Capital Region Board (CRB) in 2008.

The City of Edmonton said in 2013 that it will absorb 156 square kilometers of Leduc County property. Following their agreement on the annexation plan in 2016, the City of Edmonton annexed 8,260 hectares of territory from the City of Beaumont and Leduc County.

Frequently Asked Questions on Edmonton Elevation and Geography

Is Edmonton a higher altitude than Calgary?

No, Edmonton has a lower elevation compared to Calgary. Edmonton is at a lower elevation of 2,201 feet (671 meters) While Calgary is at a higher elevation of 3,428 feet(1,045 meters)

How many feet above sea level is Edmonton?

Edmonton is 2,201 feet (671 meters) above sea level. Edmonton lies between 2037 and 2256 feet above sea level in the Canadian Prairies Ecozone and on the North Saskatchewan River. 

Conclusions 

In conclusion, Edmonton, Alberta’s capital and largest city, is 2,201 feet (671 meters) above sea level. It is North America’s northernmost city, with a population of over a million people in the metropolitan region. The city is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is bordered by aspen parkland, which is a transition zone between boreal forest and grasslands. The city is well-known for its richness of animals, especially for its river valley and ravine system. Overall, Edmonton’s specific topography and elevation help to shape its climate and natural environment.